Mid Air Collision at Bcc Comp on the Long Mynd

[Steve Watkins]

Quote from Paul Dancey of SEWHGPGC:

More bad news I'm afraid. Dennis Wray, the Dales club pilot involved in the recent mid-air collision at Long Mynd, passed away last night. In the end his heart just couldn't cope with the trauma caused by his accident. His daughters were by his bedside.

I've been in touch with the Dales Club, and asked them to pass on our sympathy and condolences to Denis' family and friends.

[Nick Roberts]

If anyone can make it  to the funeral next thursday, it may be possible to link up and car share with a few of the |South East Wales members(Mark Harris, Mark Pearson and a few others).

[sherulz]

quote from paul dancy to se wales club members

Bob Allen has issued an open invitation to any of Stephens friends to
attend his funeral at 1pm on Thursday 20th August - at the Rhuddlan
parish Church followed by the crematorium. Afterwards, there will be
refreshments at the Rhuddlan golf club.

Rhuddlan is a small village just 3 miles inland from Rhyl, N Wales, and
there is a premier Inn in the village ? just a few hundred yards from
the Church for anyone who feels like celebrating Stephens?s life and
might need to stay overnight.

Google Map Link for Rhuddlan:
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=Rhuddlan&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-GB:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&split=0&gl=uk&ei=dhKESuuzCtWfjAePvpH6Bw&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&ct=image&resnum=1
<http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=Rhuddlan&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-GB:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&split=0&gl=uk&ei=dhKESuuzCtWfjAePvpH6Bw&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&ct=image&resnum=1>


I think Bob has also contacted a couple of you directly. I've asked any
members who are able to go to let us know so that we can give Bob an
idea of who will be there.

[sherulz]

i have written something that steve milson will read at steves funeral so i have added it here for you to read.


Dear Colin, Bob and other family of Stephens who i havent
spoken to.
i would just like to pass on a few words that maybe you
could read out at the funeral on my behalf.
i have also added our team photo that may be the last photo
of steve, before we flew on saturday.

Stephen was an active member of the club, with a strong
interest in the technology of flying, and he was always
willing to share his knowledge.
The articles he wrote for the clubs magazine were always
informative and interesting,inspiring readers to plan their
next holiday.
He regularly participated and supported the club in the
local competitions and the british paragliding cup. 
Stephen always had interesting anecdotes to pass the time
on the hill while we waited for the right conditions, and
was very supportive with clinics we ran to help improve
pilots knowledge for cross country flying.
He was a strong character and very organised, who liked to
be a part of the group and joined in any of the social
activities the club ran.
He will not be forgotten by the pilots who knew him, and
there will be a loss to any new pilots coming into the club
for the valuable technology and knowledge he passed on.
We offer our condolences to Stephens family on behalf of
the South East Wales Paragliding and Hanggliding club at
this sad time.
Rest in Peace Stephen.

[Steve Watkins]

Quote from Paul Dancey of the SEWHGPC website:
http://www.sewhgpgc.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=242

On Saturday 9 August at the Bcc competition on Long Mynd there was unfortunately a mid air collision between a pilot from our Club and one from the Dales club.

The collision took place towards the middle of the afternoon. As a result, both pilots impacted the ground hard, first aiders attended, and the air ambulance was called.

The remaining pilots in the air were called down, and the air ambulance arrived very promptly, as well as a police helicopter, and subsequently other emergency vehicles attended the scene.

Both pilots received attention at the scene and were then taken away. The "dales" pilot is alive, but with critical internal injuries. Sadly the SE Wales Club pilot passed away on arrival at hospital.

I'm sure most of you will know by now the pilot in question, but until we are sure that the family have been informed, it wouldn't be appropriate to announce his name.

As there will be a full investigation of this fatal accident by the appropriate authorities, I would also ask pilots not to speculate as to possible factors behind this very sad event. For the moment are thoughts are with the family and friends of the deceased pilot and those of the pilot who remains critically injured in hospital.